Chapter 15

Tamsari Settlement, Olnfield, the Kingdom of Wuthia, 1125

Mabel Laenas (Rila Faerson)

“Do you think they will accept our deal?” Bridget asked, riding next to me.

The four of us looked across the Chamquet Stream at the sight of the Tamsari Settlement. It was mostly formed by tents, wagons, and horses, more of a camp than a settlement. They were spread wide across the land. Smoke from the newly made fire billowed in the air. It wasn’t an army, but it was a good number of them to count. On the right of me was Richard and Solomon, on their horses, while Bridget was on the left of me with her very own. Thori gifted one of his many horses as a parting gift.

“They should,” Richard said. “It’s a good deal. Beats roaming forever and not having a place you can all call your own.”

“Let’s leave Mabel to be our diplomat, brother,” Solomon said. “I don’t think your negotiation skills are needed.”

We all let out a little chuckle. Something that reassured us to press on. We strode across the stone bridge over the Chamquet Stream and rode closer to the settlement. When we got closer, we were met by two copper-skinned Tamsari men who wielded spears as they blocked our entrance to the settlement.

“We come on diplomacy,” I said, trying to sound as confident and diplomatic as possible. “We wish to speak with your clan’s leader.”

I stood strong as the two Tamsari men scanned our little group before letting down their spears. One of them stepped forward. “Follow men.”

“We’re in,” Solomon whispered.

We followed behind the two Tamsari men as they led us deeper into their settlements. I surveyed the settlement. It was basic things one might expect – tents, small cooking fire, pots and pans, livestock, etc. – that made up the settlement. The settlers watched us with a suspicious gaze as we strode deeper into their settlement. From what I can tell, there are somewhat over a hundred of them.

The two Tamsari men led us to one of the bigger tents that stood in the center of the settlement. We dismounted from our horses as two more Tamsari men came up and took our horses. One of the men pointed to the entrance of the tent. “This way.” The man led us into the tent where an elder Tamsari man was seated on a wooden chair. A few Tamsari men and women stood by with spears in their hands. Probably his bodyguards.

“Hrodar,” one of the men said. “These outsiders wish to speak to you. They said they are here on diplomacy.”

The elder Tamsari man looked at each of us. “Who speaks for you?”

I stepped forward. “I do. My name is Rila Faerson.”

“Well, Rila Faerson,” Hrodar said. “What diplomacy do you wish to speak to me about?”

Here goes nothing.

“I come bearing two purposes. One is from the mayor of Olnfield, and the other is from me personally.”

Hrodar’s right eyebrow raised. “What is the first purpose?”

“The first purpose,” I started, “is to see if they hold any hostility or bad will to the town of Olnfield.”

“We Tamsari hold no quarrel with the town of Olnfield,” Hrodar stated. “We just wish to be left in peace and graze these lands until we move on. You can tell the mayor that this is true.”

“Such prejudice,” one of the Tamsari spoke. “Can’t we just be left alone instead of being viewed like pariahs. We are not monsters.”

“Calm your tongue, Akha,” Hrodar said sternly. “We are outsiders to all, as outsiders are outsiders to us. Pray no mind to your common mindset. Understood?”

“Yes, Hrodar,” the Tamsari man said, putting his down.

Hrodar turned his attention back to me. “You may proceed.”

“Very well,” I said. One part was done. And we have now upheld the mayor’s request to the fullest; surely that reward is now ours. But that was the easy part. The second part was an entirely new playing field. “To our second purpose.”

I swallowed my spit to smooth out my dry mouth. “My family has come into ownership of a manor and its lands. Yet, we are but only four who truly don’t need that much space, and as I have learned, your people are looking for a place to settle upon permanently.”

“This is true,” Hrodar said. “What is your second purpose?”

“My family,” I started, “is willing to lease these lands to you and your people to do as you see fit. In exchange, we will take a fair payment every three months. This is my second purpose.”

The Tamsari muttered to themselves in their own language, words that were foreign to my ears, bouncing around the tent. It wasn’t until Hrodar raised his hands that the muttering and chattering quickly ceased.

“You propose to lease your lands to my people,” Hrodar explained. “In exchange for a payment every three months, is this correct?”

I nodded. “This is correct.”

“What makes you believe that my people and I will take your deal?”

I stood silent. But I felt a hand grace my shoulders, and looked back to see Solomon’s hand, followed by Richard and Bridget cheering me on through their eyes. I turned back to Hrodar and took a deep breath.

“My family and I know the struggle of always being on the move,” I started. “The constant battles of venturing on dangerous roads and fields, the struggle of rationing food, and the tiredness of never feeling like you belong. Don’t you want to spare your people from any more of these struggles?”

Hrodar didn’t respond, but I could see he was still listening.

“On the lands that we will give,” I continued, “you and your people can thrive and no longer struggle to find a place to call home. We will honor your way of life, culture, beliefs, and traditions. And above all, we will honor this deal for all time.”

“Why?” Hrodar asked.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Why,” Hrodar started. “Why would you make this deal with us? I suspect you have heard about the legends and sayings that we bring bad luck to any place we go.”

“But those are only sayings,” I said. “I do not believe false information is built around prejudice. I judge others by their character and their words.”

Hrodar remained silent for a moment before rising from his chair for the first time I had seen him. He was tall and slender, despite his early appearance when he was sitting down. He walked up to him until we were face-to-face. His deep brown eyes stared into mine for a while. I didn’t say anything either; I only stared back.

He later extended an arm out to me. “We accept your proposal.”

Richard, Solomon, and Bridget cheered behind me as I shook Hrodar’s strong hands.

“However.”

We got quiet, and I stopped shaking his hands.

“A bond must be formed between your family and my people.”

“And what does this bond entail?” I asked.

“A bond of the flesh,” Hrodar said. “Each of your family members must bond with one of my people of my choosing. This bond will signify our unity as one, and all bargains will be permanently sealed and honored. This is my only condition. If not, we cannot accept your proposal.”

My heart stopped, yet my pussy went wet. I glanced back at my family. Richard grinned at me, nodding his head. Bridget was the same; she acted so much like Richard, probably that’s why they get along so well. But the final judgment was in Solomon. I turned to glance back at him. He just stared at me, eyes filled with concern yet understanding. He knows just as I did that this was our only chance of starting our new lives. Even if that means sleeping with another to gain it. A smile crept on his face as he nodded his head. I turned back to face Hrodar, gripping his hand as I shook it once more. “We accept.”